Various processes for preparing C.sub.4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof are described. Various processes are described for preparing C.sub.4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof from feed compositions comprising glycolaldehyde. Also, various processes for preparing useful downstream products and intermediates, such as erythritol and erythronic acid, from the C.sub.4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof are described.

A method and a system for producing glycolic acid and/or glycolate from sustainable resources. A method for catalytic production of glycolic acid and/or glycolate including the step of: oxidation of a starting material including between 0.1-100 wt/wt % glycolaldehyde at a temperature of between −10° C. and 100° C. with an oxidant in the presence of a metal-based catalyst including a catalytically active metal, which is selected from the group of palladium and platinum; or mixtures thereof.

A method and a system for producing glycolic acid and/or glycolate from sustainable resources. A method for catalytic production of glycolic acid and/or glycolate including the step of: oxidation of a starting material including between 0.1-100 wt/wt % glycolaldehyde at a temperature of between −10° C. and 100° C. with an oxidant in the presence of a metal-based catalyst including a catalytically active metal, which is selected from the group of palladium and platinum; or mixtures thereof.

A method and a system for producing glycolic acid and/or glycolate from sustainable resources. A method for catalytic production of glycolic acid and/or glycolate including the step of: oxidation of a starting material including between 0.1-100 wt/wt % glycolaldehyde at a temperature of between −10° C. and 100° C. with an oxidant in the presence of a metal-based catalyst including a catalytically active metal, which is selected from the group of palladium and platinum; or mixtures thereof.

A formulation includes an active agent, a thickening/solidifying agent, and an antioxidant. The active agent is 9-cis-β-carotene (9CBC) or a derivative thereof of the following formula: ##STR00001##
where R.sub.2 is H or methyl; X is ##STR00002##
optionally substituted with one or more methyl groups; n is an integer of 0-16; and the asterisk represents the point of attachment to the cyclohexene ring.

A formulation includes an active agent, a thickening/solidifying agent, and an antioxidant. The active agent is 9-cis-β-carotene (9CBC) or a derivative thereof of the following formula: ##STR00001##
where R.sub.2 is H or methyl; X is ##STR00002##
optionally substituted with one or more methyl groups; n is an integer of 0-16; and the asterisk represents the point of attachment to the cyclohexene ring.

A process for the production of glycolaldehyde by thermolytic fragmentation of a carbohydrate feedstock including mono- and/or di-saccharide(s) and a system suitable for performing the process. The process and the system are suitable for industrial application, and the process may be performed in a continuous process. The salt-depleted carbohydrate feedstock may include one or more impurities selected from the group of arsenic, lead, sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural.

A process for the production of glycolaldehyde by thermolytic fragmentation of a carbohydrate feedstock including mono- and/or di-saccharide(s) and a system suitable for performing the process. The process and the system are suitable for industrial application, and the process may be performed in a continuous process. The salt-depleted carbohydrate feedstock may include one or more impurities selected from the group of arsenic, lead, sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural.

A process for the production of glycolaldehyde by thermolytic fragmentation of a carbohydrate feedstock including mono- and/or di-saccharide(s) and a system suitable for performing the process. The process and the system are suitable for industrial application, and the process may be performed in a continuous process. The salt-depleted carbohydrate feedstock may include one or more impurities selected from the group of arsenic, lead, sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural.

A polysubstituted benzene compound, preparation method thereof, and method of using the same. The compound has a formula I or I′, where X represents carbon, sulfur, or oxygen; R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.1-16 alkyl, C.sub.2-16 alkenyl, or C.sub.2-10 alkynyl; R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-16 alkyl, C.sub.2-16 alkenyl, or C.sub.2-10 alkynyl; or an aryl group or a substituted aryl group by 1-5 groups selected from halogen, C.sub.1-26 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 halogenated alkyl, O—C.sub.1-3 alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, cyano group, aldehyde group and ester group; or a heteroaryl group or a substituted heteroaryl group by 1-5 groups selected from halogen, C.sub.1-26 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 halogenated alkyl, O—C.sub.1-3 alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, cyano group, aldehyde group and ester group; the heteroaryl group is a 3-10-membered heteroaryl group including N, S, O, or a combination thereof.